Louisville adds JUCO quarterback to 2014 mix

Posted by Kevin McGuire on April 28, 2014, 5:56 PM EDT

Louisville added one more quarterback option to the competition to replace Teddy Bridgewater in 2014. The Cardinals announced the addition of junior college transfer quarterback Patrick Thomas, one of the top dual-threat players from the junior college ranks.

“I’m pleased that Patrick has joined our program,” Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino said. “He is a dual-threat quarterback who adds depth to that position heading into the fall. Patrick is talented and I’m excited to add him to the mix as we head into the ACC this season.”

Thomas was set to join UAB to play for head coach Garrick McGee, but McGee left the Blazers to take an assistant coaching position under Petrino. McGee is Louisville’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Thomas will have three years of eligibility remaining and will be eligible to play this season for the Cardinals as the school enters the ACC. He will compete with Will Gardner, Brent Nelson, and Kyle Bolin for the starting job. Gardner is the only quarterback with playing experience last season for Louisville. Bolin is a talented prospect who was took a redshirt last season. Nelson transferred to Louisville from junior college last season. Louisville has also added another former junior college quarterback with the addition of Tyler Ferguson, who transferred from Penn State after backing up Christian Hackenberg at Penn State in 2013. Ferguson had transferred to Penn State from junior college as well and must sit out the 2014 season at Louisville due to NCAA transfer rules.

In one year at Georgia Military College, Thomas passed for 1,695 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also rushed for 199 yards and two touchdowns. Thomas led Georgia Military College to a record of 11-1 and a trip to the junior college championship game against East Mississippi Community College.